SHORT STORY WRITERS CONTEST for APRIL 2018 - The RAIN [TRA2018]

It has been a few months since we last held a Short Story Writers Contest.
There are several (very good) reasons for that, but the T&C's here prevent me from going into any specific details. (So, Please don't ask!)
Suffice to say that the raison d'etre for creating these contests, and the spirit in which they are contested was somehow lost?

IMHO Our Short Story Writers Contests are an amazing outlet and showcase for the talented writers here at ATS.

Anyone can enter, anyone can vote, anyone can win.

New writers can gain invaluable experience, and learn from observing what type of writing "works" and what doesn't as they develop their craft.
They can also achieve ATS "Writer Status" by doing well in these contests.
More experienced writers benefit from meeting the challenge of coming up with a story to match the given theme.
They have the opportunity to mentor, advise and encourage the less experienced writers and of course, they continue to learn themselves at the same
time.

There are prizes, in the shape of official applause and the right to choose the next theme, but it was never really about that, and it
shouldn't ever be!

The voting system (of awarding flags & stars) is intended to be a way of allowing the readers to show their appreciation of the quality of work
submitted by the writers;
A barometer of what the readers genuinely think of each writer's story.
But - it only works if we, as members of ATS and readers of the Short Stories here, are completely honest in our voting.

We should be voting to show appreciation of the stories presented to us, and ONLY the stories presented to us.

In short: The contests become meaningless if we cast votes for any other reason.

A lot of hard work goes into creating, invigilating and tallying up the votes for these contests.

Let's make it worthwhile... Let's make it Fun!
Let us all appreciate and reward the talent that deserves to be recognised.
Encourage the new and the inexperienced, and embrace and reward those who excel.

If we lose sight of why these contests are here, then we will run the risk of losing the contests for good.

Thanks for listening, but most of all - for Writing & Reading the Stories!
Gordi

The theme for this contest is simply "The RAIN".
So, all entries should contain or relate to that theme.
It is entirely up to YOU the writer, to interpret that theme.

Video submissions are not acceptable this time around (Unless solely to provide "mood" music/sound effects).
Photos and Music ARE allowed within the entry, so long as the main story itself is "written".

Rules Of Entry:

The contest will run from NOW to Thurs 26th APR 2018.
(Any submissions after that date will be disqualified.)

A period of ONE WEEK after the closing of the contest will be provided for voting.

All T&C's Apply.

All entries MUST include [TRA2018] in the title.

All entries must be linked in this thread, and please include your ATS writer status [writer] or [non-writer] in your submission
post within this thread as it makes it easier to determine which group to place the entry in.

There is no minimum or maximum character count, and the entry can be submitted over one or more posts, but please bear in mind that it is a SHORT
STORY contest!

Also, please END your submission with "THE END" so that everyone is clear that your entry is complete.

1 Single Story Submission is allowed Per Member.

There will be 3 winners among members who already have ATS "Writer" status, prizes as follows:

1st Place -- 5 Applause, and selection of the next contest theme (limited to one in a row)
2nd Place -- 3 Applause
3rd Place -- 1 Applause

There will also be 3 winners from the non-writer category who will receive the following:

Before I read submissions, I have a quick poem that rained onto My brain that I will share now.
(See what I did there?!) LOL

The rains came a falling on nantucket.
The people there simply put on heads, buckets.
Then they continued on through the day,
wanting the clouds to move away,
but MOST of them headed for the bars and said 'Pucket'!

ETA: Another came to Me I must share.

The day the rain came,
was a sad one indeed.
For all who got wet,
they spontaniously peed.

I am hoping those will get some creative juices flowing for some to help them write!
(Yah I know I need that too since it's been so long since I entered one of these.)

Hey maybe not. Since they get more than their fare share of rain, it is not that big of a deal to them? Others who don't get it that often, might
think of it more? I dunno as rain once a month is enough for Me. Unless it's in the form of a kick ass lightening and thunderstorm! Those Rock!!

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